Good evening students, ladies and gentlemen. When I was kindly invited some months ago, to be the guest speaker at your school's Awards Evening, my first thought was: "What a wonderful privilege." Unfortunately, it was quickly followed up by my second thought, which was: "Oh crikey, what on earth am I going to say to inspire a hall full of bright and talented young people with inquiring minds?" "What a responsibility. What wisdom could I impart that was likely to resonate? Where would I possibly find the right words?" Words, language, communication - It's what unites us.
But how to find the right words which inspire and motivate... and in just 15 minutes! I am an experienced journalist. Words are my business. Words are the tools of my trade! I really had no excuse to be lost for them. How hard could this be? So, where could I seek my own inspiration? If in doubt turn to a book! better yet, the book I know best of all - the Big Book (No, not the Bible, although divine inspiration was certainly a viable option!) No, this bible - (HOLD UP) the dictionary! It's never let me down yet, I concluded. This is where the answers would lay. So, with a little help from my 'bible', I am now going to preach my own particular lesson - but hopefully in a way you can all relate to.
It got me thinking. What do I recall from my own school days? (Yes, that was a few years ago now!) Despite my obvious love affair with the written word, my abiding memories aren't actually of which books I studied in English Literature or how to construct the perfect GSCE essay or even the long list of important dates and facts I'd slavishly learned parrot fashion for my history exam. So, if words are to come to my rescue here tonight - and conscious of the time limitations - I decided there were just four that I'd use to try and summarise my best career advice. Four words that have stood me in good stead. And we'll come on to those: Congratulations. The fact you're all here
tonight collecting your books demonstrates you're well on your way to achieving success. But, aside from academia, it's a different aspect of this occasion that most piqued my curiosity. In those all-important high school years, what is it that shapes our thinking and our personalities as we build for our professional futures? - And, while Minecraft and LEGO rightly deserve a sizeable quota of our daily attention (!), what I'm actually alluding to is building blocks of a very different nature - building on the foundations of your academic achievements, rightly celebrated here, with the right attitude. Aptitude and attitude are a powerful combination. They are our foundations for the future. But all foundations need four cornerstones if they are to sustain us through our working lives. And whether you prefer the building
analogy or the literary one, the message is the same. So, being loyal to my Big Book, its back to the literary analogy. Cue... HOLD UP DICTIONARY... The first of my four words... The first significant word that set me on my career path is... 'PASSION!" Word one is Passion. (BOOK) Definition: 'A very powerful feeling' This is where it all started for me. At the age of 12 I had discovered a profession that both excited and challenged. Passion of course is a word that's also associated with love. I'd fallen head over heels in love with the notion
of being not just a writer, but an investigative journalist... someone with the power to bring about change, to campaign, to champion, to hold to account, to celebrate, to inform, to critique, to scrutinise, to enlighten, to entertain. The possibilities were endless. And the best bit?... I could be paid for doing it! At the risk of revisiting the biblical references, this had become my calling if you like. Once introduced to this idea there was no turning back. I was indeed smitten. So Word one is Passion. Here at Henley you thrive every day from the nurturing and positive environment of brilliant teachers who believe in you - they believe in YOUR dreams. Not so for me unfortunately. While most memories of my school days have now faded, one occasion I will never forget was the day of
the career officer's visit. It was with excited anticipation that, at the age of 14, I stood in line ready to discuss - and celebrate - my dream with a professional who was clearly well placed to advise and guide me. I was politely asked: "What would you like to do as a career?" I didn't hesitate "I want to be a journalist!" I retorted. His response was dismissive: "That's great. But it's very ambitious and an extremely competitive industry to get into. Always good to have a second option to fall back on. So what would that be?" I repeated: "I want to be a journalist." I had no interest in spending my life doing anything else. It dawned on me. I'd never really given
consideration to alternatives. Why would I? I was momentarily crestfallen... but ultimately undeterred. So, the second word is BELIEF. I believed, if not always in my abilities, then in my dream. And the most important people around me believed in it too. I knew only too well the challenges that lay ahead if I was to break into this apparently impenetrable industry. Academic achievement never came naturally to me - and indeed what I probably won't be thanked by your teachers for telling you, is that I managed to land my first job as a trainee reporter 27 years ago without an A level or degree certificate to my name - despite being assured otherwise by our friendly careers officer.
And I worked hard, from the ground up to prove to myself and others that I could have what it takes. I was never a natural scholar and did not particularly excel in any subjects, other than English. I did not qualify for recognition at such events as this. Despite this, I instinctively knew that I'd got a head start on many of my peers because I had a strong sense of self belief. Word two is Belief. Definition: 'The feeling of being certain that something exists or is true' OR 'trust or confidence in.' Headline news: This girl was not going to be deterred. I believed in myself - even if, seemingly, others did not. This disappointing encounter with the careers officer had only served to strengthen my
resolve. Where was the encouragement? Where was the admiration for my sense of ambition? If this was indeed a tough profession to break into, it was support I needed and valuable advice, not a harsh dose of reality!! Reality, incidentally, is not one of my four chosen words. Reality is all-important, it's all around us and it's certainly not going anywhere but, trouble is you see, sometime it has a nasty habit of getting in the way of our dreams. Reality is a word that belongs in a black and white world - and is at odds with our multicolour dreams. Our aspirations are what motivate us, not our reality. We have the power to change our reality. Of course I'm not advocating ripping up your text books in favour of a purely spiritual approach. You'll find the hard work is, unfortunately, an essential prerequisite to
launching your career the bricks and mortar rising up from our metaphoric foundations so please guys keep up with your homework!!!! (Apart from anything else, I'll get into serious trouble with Mr Jeffries if you don't.) But, in all seriousness, I guess what I'm saying is don't dwell on the statistics, don't accept that your ambitions - whatever they are - are unachievable. If, as well as the required qualifications and hard work, you possess a healthy quota of passion and belief, you will rise above the crowd and get to the top of your game, whether that be a newspaper editor, a head teacher or the Chief Inspector. (VISUAL CUE) So, it's time for word three. And it s.. DETERMINATION! Never underestimate the power of this
particular word. Coupled with my passion for journalism, it was a steely determination that drove me to break into the profession and thereafter to succeed in it. But this determination has stayed with me ever since - a hunger to keep learning, to keep growing and, who knows... maybe one day even have the chance to inspire others. As I have only recently learned, that is the most rewarding achievement of all. Word three then is Determination. Definition: 'The ability to continue trying to do something although it is very difficult.' And within that definition I identify another negative word... 'Difficult.' I much prefer the word 'challenging.' Rising to a challenge is something positive. The clue is in the phrase - we 'rise' to it. The greatest individual moments of my career are those which compelled me to overcome a challenge. Challenges make you
stronger. 'Difficulties' erode your self-belief. But, be determined and be focused on the end game and, with a healthy sprinkling of lady luck - and a prevailing wind you'll eventually be reaping the rewards. So, word four. This would doubtless vary among mentors. Personally my word four is: PRIDE. Be passionate, be empowered by that self-belief and determination, but, as you climb the career ladder don't lose sight of those high standards. If this seems daunting, the good news is and here we shift back to the building metaphor if the first three corner stones are firmly installed, number four will slide snugly into place. So, Pride: Definition: 'A feeling of pleasure
and satisfaction that you get because you or people connected with you have done something good.' Above all, appreciate and take pride in your own achievements. Pride is a great word. It's a huge part of what drives us. Finally, two more quick words than can help you power through those challenging times - democracy and diplomacy. The people around you also play a key role in your success. Treat them well, while never losing that competitive edge. No speech on the theme of words would be truly complete without the odd quotation or two. So, from the pen of a far far more accomplished wordsmith than I, here are some wise words indeed...
(HOLD UP BOOK). The great William Shakespeare himself once wrote: 'Dream in light years, challenge miles, walk step by step.' To me this says - Don't be afraid of ambition but don't rush. Break down each challenge and set goals. Keep your focus. He wrote: 'We know what we are but know not what we m I like to interpret this quote from Hamlet as - The only limit He wrote: 'It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in o Simply, have belief. Well done to all the young people here tonight. It's a joy and This is obviously just the beginning of your journey - and y your passions, many will still be exploring the options, but w accountancy, law music or medicine, hang onto those dream And don't take my word for it. I'll leave you with one more Co-founder of Apple, the late Steve Jobs once said: "The on is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love